In Dead Cells you play a sploopy plop of snot balanced atop the shoulders of a ninja. I think. It's unclear, though there is lore to be found when you are out and about (watch for blue candles), there's something about prisons and plagues, but you are going to have to play the game yourself to find out, no spoilers for you here. We ain't that kind of website.

What I can tell you about is how the game works. It's one of those infernal Rogue light games, you know the score by now, die and you find yourself back at the start faced with having to do the whole lot again. Now people who know me will tell you I'm absolute arse fudge at games, I die lots, but Dead Cells mitigates my shitness by offering up some unique upgrades that will permanently unlock as you play (and mutations that are just for your current play through, pick the extra life first people!). These permanent unlocks can range from the ever useful health potion or a random unlock sword from your found and completed blueprint weapons to start your run with. Useful for awful players who die all the time (me). Elite baddies can also drop runes that are active through all of your runs, and these can actually change the game, allowing access to new areas and secrets.

Controls are spot on in Dead Cells, which is handy, because if they'd have fucked them up it'd matter more than most as the combat is punishing, leaving little room for mistakes. The varied enemies all have their own patterns and tells, making each fight a tactical affair, with rolling, ranged, melee and special weapons at your disposal, and believe me, you'll need every trick in the book.

The graphics are utterly beautiful in Dead Cells too, I've started to roll my eyes a bit at the thought of another '16-bit aesthetic' game, but developer Motion Twin have done a masterful job, putting real thought and flair into it, and coupled with the excellent animation it's actually quite striking suiting the mood and tone of the game perfectly, as do the music and sound effects. No voice acting though, but sometimes that can be a blessing. I'd rather have none at all than have it done badly.

Dead Cells is something of a triumph then, a hardcore gamers game that can be enjoyed by the most inept players too. It can be hard, but it's never unfair, and with reasons to keep coming back that unlock as you play there's a hell of a lot of gameplay to sink your teeth into. Now if you'll excuse me The Pariah needs his arse handing to him.

User Comments:

You must sign up for an AATG account and login in order to post comments